Background:Haemodynamic changes occurring during direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation are well tolerated by healthy individuals but can be fatal in patients with hypertension, heart disease and intracranial hypertension. Many methods have been tried to obtund these responses. Methods: 60 consenting patients were randomised to receive 30 mg/kg of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) in 100 ml saline over 10 min before induction or preservative free 2% lignocaine 1.5 mg/kg diluted to 5 ml with saline 90 secs before intubation. Heart rate, systolic, diastolic & mean blood pressures and time taken to extubate were monitored. Results: Hemodynamic parameters showed no significant rise at intubation in both the groups. Time taken to extubate was similar in both the groups. Conclusion: MgSO4 30 mg/kg given intravenously as infusionover 10 minutes prior to induction and lignocaine 1.5 mg/kg given 90 seconds before intubation were comparable in attenuating pressor response to laryngoscopy and intubation with no clinically significant prolongation in time taken to extubate in MgSO4 group.